3. MAUI

Kama`ole III Beach Park
This Kihei beach receives respectable swells during the summer months and can get rideable waves year-round.

INFO: Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation (www.co.maui.hi.us or 808/879-4364). On S. Kihei Rd. near Keonekai Rd. Rent gear at Hi-Tech Surf Sports in Kahului ($8 per day; 425 Koloa St.; 808/877-2111).

4. BIG ISLAND

Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
The most popular beach on the island has plenty of mellow waves in summer. Go early; conditions are usually better then, and parking gets tight as locals and visitors literally queue to enjoy the white sands. In winter only very experienced boarders should surf the outer reef.

INFO: Hawaii State Parks (www.hawaii.gov/dlnr). Take State 19 about 28 miles north of Kona International. Rent gear at Snorkel Bob's in Kailua/Kona ($8.50 per day; 75-5831 Kahakai St.; 808/329-0770).

THE SNORKELER

Take away Ann Fielding's mask and fins, and she feels like a fish out of water. After moving to Hawaii in 1967 in search of warm water and a career path that would keep her in it, Fielding completed her degree in zoology at the University of Hawaii and became an educator at the Waikiki Aquarium before writing three popular books on Hawaii's undersea creatures. Today she runs small-group snorkel trips on Maui. Over the years, Fielding has taught thousands how to respect the sanctity of the reefs. Her passion to educate comes in part from her understanding that Hawaii is truly a unique marine environment.

Slide show   Aloha! The Hawaiian Islands offer tropical adventures you will never forget. more photos

"Roughly 25 percent of the fish species here are found only in the Islands," says Fielding. "We are the only tropical island group with this high rate of endemism. That means you can get color combinations and types of animals that are common here but very rare elsewhere." A few of her endemic favorites: the saddle wrasse, the bluestripe butterfly fish, and the whitesaddle goatfish.

Unlike those in much of the rest of the Pacific, Hawaii's coral reefs are right along the shoreline — sometimes literally steps from the beach. "Wherever there are rocks in the water in Hawaii, there will most likely be some fish, sea urchins, and coral," Fielding says. "You don't need a boat. It's so much easier to jump in and enjoy."

Tips

• Snorkel early in the day, before Hawaii's trade winds ruffle the surface and stir up sand in the water, which reduces visibility.

• Be careful when snorkeling in waves above 2 feet in height.

• Watch out for currents whipping around points and reefs; when in doubt, talk to a lifeguard.

• The calmer and safer waters tend to be on the more sheltered leeward sides of islands.

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